All Questions
3,753 questions
163
votes
12
answers
52k
views
Why is the guitar tuned like it is?
Why is there that funny tuning kink between the G and B string on a guitar in standard tuning? I.E. the gap (interval) between the rest of the adjoining strings is 5 frets (semitones) (or a perfect ...
David Kethel
85
votes
8
answers
6k
views
Ten Minute Practice Techniques For Guitar?
Unfortunately, I can't play every day.
However, I am trying to practice at least 5-10 minutes here and there. What are some good theory or scale techniques/practice methods I should have ready to ...
- 1,255
71
votes
21
answers
50k
views
How often should I replace the strings on my guitar?
When and why should you replace your guitar strings?
- 1,935
70
votes
21
answers
110k
views
Changing the strings: one by one, or by taking all strings off at one time?
The title says it all. Should I change strings one by one, or take them all at once? Does this matter at all?
If I take all strings off, will it damage my neck in any way, because the pressure is ...
- 8,122
69
votes
24
answers
249k
views
Best method to learn to play barre chords?
I've been trying to learn the F chord for a while now, and I am having a very hard time playing the barre chord. I've read that pulling back slightly with your finger and using the body of the guitar ...
Don
69
votes
22
answers
6k
views
Ways to get out of a scalar rut?
I'm a well versed and experienced guitarist. I have a decent sense for rhythm and melody, but I have a VERY hard time with soloing. I know you've heard it all before I'm one of those guys that got ...
- 1,700
67
votes
8
answers
113k
views
Position of white dots in guitar fretboard
I was wondering why the white dots in the fretboard are usually placed in fret numbers 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, and 21.
I know that their general purpose is for counting, but what I wonder is: Why ...
Abel Molina
63
votes
10
answers
10k
views
Will learning to play another instrument help me to become a better guitarist?
I am a programmer and I do this for living. As a programmer, I've noticed how much difference it makes to learn another language - the quality of your work improves greatly, just because you know how ...
- 8,122
62
votes
8
answers
7k
views
Why does string strummed with finger sound different from the one strummed with pick?
What is the physical reason for difference in sound when using fingers instead of pick and vice versa?
- 745
56
votes
7
answers
14k
views
Why do Guitar chords work the way they do compared to a Piano?
I'm a Tabla (North Indian percussion instrument) player and I know just the basics of western music because I'm learning it bit by bit. I borrowed a Piano to learn music theory and it's going pretty ...
- 975
55
votes
13
answers
56k
views
How do you identify a good acoustic guitar?
What do you look for when going for a guitar? I own an acoustic and am looking for a better one.
What should I be looking for? Wood quality, brand, strings, etc.?
Sandeep Singh Rawat
53
votes
8
answers
9k
views
Guitar practice: more often but less time or once in a few days but for a few hours?
As many people, who have lots of every day responsibilities, like going to work, family and etc. I find myself struggling for the time to practice. Some days I just feel to tired to pick up a guitar ...
- 8,122
47
votes
10
answers
139k
views
Why learn scales? What are they for?
I tried Googling but it seems there is no answer for this one. So the internet assumes everyone knows what scales are for? Why should I learn them? Are they important to be a good guitarist?
- 807
44
votes
20
answers
27k
views
Why does conventional playing style give the string manipulation to the left hand?
For the majority of players, the right hand is used for most tasks that require exacting manipulation: writing, throwing, etc.
However, guitar, violin, lute, etc., use the right hand for plucking ...
- 570
44
votes
10
answers
40k
views
As a guitarist, how can I learn to sight-read music?
I'm learning guitar right now, mostly from Justin Sandercoe's free online lessons, starting from the beginner's course. He has a lot of good tips for how to practice and drill chords, and scales, but ...
- 1,069
43
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Major scale of one note is the Minor scale of another note?
I am learning guitar at the moment and I learned the major scale.
Then I checked the minor scale and the positions are the same!
Not only that, the C major scale is the same as the A minor scale.
So ...
- 933
42
votes
17
answers
89k
views
How to minimize the pain for a beginning guitar student so they won’t give up before they develop calluses?
This is a common problem and solving it will ultimately lead to a much higher success rate for beginning guitar students. So I wanted to share the information here on Music and Theory.
Many of my ...
- 27.5k
42
votes
16
answers
20k
views
What do you do when a string breaks or you drop your pick on stage?
One of my nightmares when I'm on stage is breaking a string or losing my pick. The former has happened to me before once, and also once right before I had to go on stage.
Are there any tips my ...
Haris
42
votes
13
answers
302k
views
Noise while not touching guitar strings or metal parts
I get a buzzing noise from my guitar when idle. However, when I touch the strings or touch any metal parts (strings, bridge or the metal portion near the output jack), the noise goes away completely. ...
- 797
41
votes
13
answers
288k
views
How not to touch neighbouring strings?
When playing guitar, my fingers often touch other strings on the guitar. I found that my fingertips are too broad for the strings. When I press one string by my middle finger, the meat of the ...
- 731
41
votes
13
answers
179k
views
Why shouldn't I put electric guitar strings on my acoustic guitar?
I've always found even the lightest acoustic (bronze) guitar strings to be a bit too heavy to play comfortably. Electric (nickel) guitar strings tend to be lighter. But nobody uses electric strings on ...
- 513
41
votes
4
answers
40k
views
Why is my guitar's saddle at an angle?
Most acoustic guitars I've seen, including my own, have an angled saddle (the white strip holding up the strings):
This makes the bass strings longer than the treble strings. Why is this?
...
Bill Cheatham
40
votes
11
answers
23k
views
My son is 6, and his guitar teacher wants me to buy him a 4/4 guitar!
My six year old has been taking guitar lessons in a small group of his age (3-4 kids, 5-7 year olds). The teacher is considered very good and is famous in my city. He has been working for many years ...
- 509
40
votes
9
answers
112k
views
How should I "store" my guitars?
I have a bunch of guitars of varying quality from unplayable to quite nice. I intend to hang some (or all) of them on walls for decoration, but I'm not sure if this is good for the guitars, so perhaps ...
- 2,778
39
votes
9
answers
76k
views
How does scale length affect my playing?
This one's a bit rudimentary, but scale length is a bit of a mystery to me. I understand what it is, but I don't understand what it does. I own guitars with different scale lengths (Telecaster vs ...
- 11.6k
39
votes
7
answers
38k
views
Does leaving a capo on "hurt" the strings?
On occasion I've accidentally left a capo on (overnight). Does this decrease the life of the strings, staying in tune time, hurt the neck, or anything else that's bad?
bobtheowl2
37
votes
10
answers
19k
views
When tuning a guitar, should you always end with tightening the string rather than loosening it?
I used to have a guitar teacher that said you should always finish tuning each string by tightening/sharpening the string. So for example if the top E is a little sharp, you should turn the peg to ...
- 7,389
37
votes
5
answers
8k
views
How to play songs that contain one guitar when we have two or more guitarists?
I am playing drums in an alternative punk band we just started. I am wondering how to play songs that basically are from bands that contain one guitarist, as we have two guitarists. What can be the ...
- 771
37
votes
3
answers
10k
views
Why do guitarists put tape on their amplifiers?
I've never truly understood why so many guitarists put tape on their amplifiers.
I have seen many YouTube videos where, before recording and placing a microphone towards their amp, they will put tape ...
- 1,974
36
votes
11
answers
11k
views
Why are there many guitarists, but only one drummer in a band?
In a band, there will be many guitarists. However, there will always be only one drummer. Why can't there be more than one drummer in a band? Are there any cultural or musical reasons behind it or ...
- 1,495
36
votes
9
answers
4k
views
What is the best way of learning the notes on the fretboard.
What is the best way to learn the notes on the fretboard. Are there any good tips on how to do this?
gwc
35
votes
15
answers
82k
views
Why is dropped D tuning used so often?
Many metal/rock songs use dropped D tuning. What reasons are there for it?
- 1,935
35
votes
14
answers
42k
views
Arthritis In Hands (Playing With Pain In Hands) - Are There Recommended Approaches?
I have been playing guitar for 12 years now and I'm 28.
I am under treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (R.A.) and was wondering if anyone who has R.A., or other pain in their hands, has any approaches ...
bn01
35
votes
8
answers
15k
views
When to use a dot or a tie in music notation?
Let's say I have the following piece in 4/4, Should it be notated as:
or
Are there any specific rules? From my previous experience, I believe the second one is the correct notation since it shows ...
- 453
35
votes
10
answers
66k
views
What is intonation and how can I find out if my guitar has correct intonation?
What is intonation?
What is the best way to check my intonation and fix it if necessary?
bn01
35
votes
10
answers
104k
views
How to bend and release without flicking the other strings?
I'm trying to bend up then back down on the G string (so it plays both notes, I'm not muting the bend back down to G) but I always catch my fingernail on the D string. So when I let the bend back ...
- 451
34
votes
7
answers
39k
views
How is this B flat guitar chord physically possible?
This chord diagram is from the GarageBand chord trainer (I'm a beginner). How is it possible to put a barre down on the third fret without also muting the top E string?
- 587
33
votes
11
answers
151k
views
Why do some artists tune their guitars half a step or whole step down?
Is there a reason some guitarists tune down half or whole steps, other than preference or style?
It bugs me sometimes when I would like to play along with a song only to find that it's played down ...
- 2,077
33
votes
7
answers
133k
views
How do I know when it's time to change a tube on my amplifier?
I think this would be a wonderfully instructive question to people who are new to tube amplifiers. In short, how do I know that it's time to change a tube, and what's a good strategy for figuring out ...
- 11.6k
32
votes
13
answers
119k
views
What is the Difference between Maple and Rosewood Fretboards
Is there a difference that's based on feel or sound - why are they the two most widely used choices?
JustnBeaver
31
votes
15
answers
21k
views
Coated Strings—Gimmick, or worth the money?
Never used them myself, but I had a friend who used to swear by the plastic-coated strings he bought for his electric to try and help keep them cleaner. While I realize this probably does do ...
Kaji
31
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Recycling guitar strings
This one goes out to all my eco-friendly shredder pals. Does anyone know of an organization that takes guitar strings and recycles them? I run through quite a few packs per month on a heavy gigging ...
- 11.6k
30
votes
13
answers
9k
views
What kind of a guitar can I play without thumbs?
Because of arthritis, the thumb joints on both hands are gone, after playing acoustic guitar with a pic for 40 years in Church folk groups. I can't squeeze the neck with my left hand and can't hold ...
- 301
30
votes
9
answers
7k
views
Why do tube-based guitar amplifiers sound so good?
Is it just a cultural thing ("they've always sounded that way") or is there some basis in music theory for this?
fitzbog
30
votes
10
answers
10k
views
Can I just tune my guitar how ever I like?
I wrote a song, and have a guitar I never got to using, and I decided to write a guitar part to the song. The thing is, I know what intervals and harmonies sound good so I just got my guitar out, and ...
- 301
30
votes
9
answers
27k
views
What are the ergonomic / playing differences between the guitar and the piano?
The guitar and the piano are two of the most popular instruments which allow multiple notes to be played simultaneously.
The acoustic quality of the two instruments are, of course, different, but ...
- 945
30
votes
6
answers
70k
views
How do I stop muting nearby strings or will my fingers reshape after some practice?
I recently started learning to play guitar. I cut my nails completely, so I can press the strings. Often I need to endlessly re-arrange my fingers because I'm muting nearby strings. I correct one ...
- 403
30
votes
6
answers
33k
views
Do guitar strings wear when not used?
Do strings wear because of the pressure applied to them or any other factor, or do they stay in quite the same shape as long as you don't use them?
Alexandre Nizoux
30
votes
11
answers
10k
views
How to do "metal" harmonics (pinch etc)
I've always struggled with this, tried watching Youtube tutorials, but can't get it to work.
Should you hold the pick in any particular way? I've always held my picks with three fingers, for ...
Znarkus
29
votes
11
answers
13k
views
"one finger per fret" - is it worth following this rule?
When I first got into guitar, I was given advice to follow a "one finger per fret" rule with the left hand.
Basically, to fret notes with all four fingers, and to follow a pattern such that in any ...
- 2,844